The Cobb Chamber of Commerce has been recognized as one of the top 10 fastest-growing chambers in the nation over the last three years.

Chamber President David Connell told the Marietta Business Association on Thursday that the chamber added 600 new members in 2012 and continues to grow this year.

He attributes the growth of the organization to the positive assets of the area, such as Cobb’s claim to the lowest crime rate and lowest property tax rate in metro Atlanta. The chamber caters to small business, he said, but major corporate headquarters such as The Home Depot and The Weather Channel make the county attractive to businesspeople.

“But it’s the education system and level of education in the area that make us successful,” Connell said, adding that Kennesaw State University has become the third-largest university in the state, and the county is home to Chattahoochee Technical College, Southern Polytechnic State University, Georgia Highlands College, Life University and some of the highest performing high schools in the nation.

“Chattahoochee Tech is the sixth-largest in the state, and Southern Polytechnic is one of the best technical engineering schools,” he said. “Life University draws chiropractors from all over the nation.” Nearly 50 percent of all adults in the county have at least a bachelor’s degree, which Connell says is a reflection on the schools.

Another draw to the area, he said, is nearly $2.2 billion in tourism each year with Six Flags, White Water, national parks, the arts and shows.

Anonymous & c smith (and many other names he uses, unwilling to stand like a man beside his real name, like me & Pat,..are the same person.(lives in my rundown neighborhood, stalks me on these websites) He is awake in the middle of the nite pounding out disparaging remarks against all whose beliefs might differ than his.

You sure do have a high opinion of yourself. I am C. Smith. I am not any other person than C. Smith. I don't live in your rundown neighborhood and I don't stalk you. I am not awake in the middle of the NIGHT pounding out disparaging remarks against all whose beliefs differ from mine. You get on my last nerve. First, you cannot spell. Second, you do not know grammar. Third, I just get tired of a stupid putting down smart people, and you are a true stupid. You show it in everything you write with a third-grade education at best. I bet you ducked out of English class to campaign against the teacher.

Pat H

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March 17, 2013

Of course they are. There is a pipeline of taxpayer money from Cobb County to the Chamber.

One without question, if the FBI is actually investigating as your rumor persists, they are surely investigating the nutcase accusations that are continually posted out here by yourself and MK.

C. Smith

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March 17, 2013

Cobb County. Always has been and always will be the greatest county in metro Atlanta to live in and to raise families in. This reinforces that you continue to be. Cobb County Chamber of Commerce, I salute you.

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